Eye-exerciser.



PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

G. BULLOCK. EYE EXERCISER.

APPLICATION IILED 13:50.4, 1905.

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TINITEED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

EYE-EXERCISER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application filerl December 4, 1905. Serial No. 290,086.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE BULLOCK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, have invented a new and usefulEye-Exerciser, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to eye-exercisers; and the object thereof is toprovide an instrument in the general form of a spectacleframe which isadapted to be held under yielding tension against the eyelids and gentlycompress the same against the eyeballs, thereby resulting in strongermuscular development at those parts.

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated one form of my invention,Figure 1 is a general perspective view of one form of instrumentconforming to the principles of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a top viewthereof. Fig. 3 is a view of a slightly-modified construction of thetemple-pieces.

The rings 1 are intended to bear against the upper and lower eyelids andare of such size and shape that they will impart the necessary pressurewithout obstruction by the eye socket or cavity. The said rings may beof any suitable material, such as gold, silver, celluloid, or othersubstances suitable for such purposes. The rings are joined by an archor bridge 2, which holds them in proper relative adjustment and which isarranged large enough not to engage the nose. A templepiece 3, extendingforward and then bent backward, as indicated at l, is attached to eachring. This bending is for the purpose of leaving space, so that thesides will not bear against the temples or eye-sockets when theinstrument is applied. They may be rigid sides, as shown in Figs. 1 and2, or may be composed of two pieces hinged together, as shown andindicated by 10 in Fig. 3, so so that the sides may be folded overagainst the rings. In either instance I prefer that small springs 6 beconnected to the rear ends of the temple-pieces 3 and that said springsshall terminate in hooks 7 for engagement behind the ears. In suchadjustment the tension and length of the springs 6 and sides 3 havingbeen previously adjusted the rings 1 will be drawn and held with thedesired pressure against the lids of the eyes, thereby affordingopportunity for consistent exercise so long as the instrument is worn.Thereby the eye-muscles will be greatly strengthened and encouraged intheir functions.

Eyes 8 may be formed at the upper ports of the hooks 7, Fig. 1, forengagement with the ends-ofa section 9, of rubber or elastic, intendedto pass around behind the head, and thereby draw the rings 1against-theeyes. This may be in the place of or in addition to thesprings 6 and may be regulated to suit different instances.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-

1. An eye-exerciser, comprising two rings, a bridge connecting saidrings, a temple-piece connected to each ring, eyes formed on saidtemple-pieces, and an elastic connection fastened to said eyes,substantially as specified.

2. An instrument for maintaining continuous and uniform pressure againstthe upper and lower eyelids comprising, two rings arranged to pressagainst the eyelids within the eye sockets or cavities, a bridgeconnecting said two rings and arched beyond possible engagement with thenose, forwardlyarched temple-pieces connected to said rings, springsconnected to the rear ends of said templepieces, and ear-hooks on therear ends of said springs to cooperate with said springs to force saidtwo rings against the eyelids continuously and uniformly with anydesired degree of pressure, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

3. In an eye-exerciser, the combination of two rings arranged to bearagainst the eyelids within the eye sockets or cavities, a bridgeconnecting said two rings and arched beyond possible engagement with thenose while in use, forwardly-arched temple-pieces connected tosaid'rings, and automatic means in connection with said archedtemple-pieces to force said rings against the eyelids with anypredetermined degree of pressure when the device is in use,substantially as specilied.

4. As an article of manufacture, an eyeexerciser comprising incombination, two rings arranged to bear against the upper and lowereyelids within the eye sockets or cavities, a bridge connecting said tworings and arched beyond possible engagement with the nose while in use,a forwardly arched member attached to the outer side of each ring, atemple-piece hinged to each of said arched members, hooks at the rearends of said temple-pieces adapted to en age behind the ears, means wereby an e astic connection may be connected to said temple-pieces, andautomatic means separate from such connection in connection with saidtemple-pieces and hooks to press said rings continuously and uniformlyagainst the eyelids when the deviceis in use, substantially asspecified.

5. An eye-exerciser comprising two rings arranged to bear against theeyelids, forwardly-arched members 4 connected to said rings,temple-pieces hinged to said members, automatic means to hold said ringsagainst the eyelids, and a bridge connectin said two rings and archedbeyond possibde engagement with the nose, substantially as specified.

6. An instrument of the character described comprising two rin s, abridge connected to said rings, a forwardly-arched temple-piece fastenedto each ring, a spring connected to each temple-piece, a hook connectedto each spring, eyes formed on said hooks, and an elastic connectionfastened to said hooks.

In testimony whereof 1 hereto afiiX my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE BULLOCK.

